I hope you enjoyed seeing the window space at Troy Antiques yesterday!  As I said, it was fun to put my things in, and see them as I drive by them on the quaint square.

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The buffet pictured in the space is one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever done.  I have NO idea where the before shot is…I know I took it!  It was pretty dried out, and had multiple places of chipped trim.  Because there was no way to replace the heart-shaped trim pieces, I removed them and painted right over it.

 

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I was able to salvage the top and bottom trim pieces, and the trim on the side doors was perfect.  I painted it in Annie Sloan’s Old White. I wanted the piece to be classic with a small twist.  I distressed on the doors and edges a little bit, but mostly kept it subtle and elegant.  After distressing (you can see videos here),  I sealed it with a coat of Hannant’s Clear Wax.

 

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I stripped the top…and let me tell you, stripping the flat was no big deal, but the back piece with the beveled edges to the wood…that was another ballgame.  I guess I should do a post on that.  I’ll get to it, I’m sure. 🙂

Once it was dry, I stained it with Minwax Ebony Stain…I love using an ebony stain to give a smoky (with no red undertones) rich brown finish.  I wipe it down into the grain as I go, and only use one coat…it’s a little more rustic and unexpected, but I love it.  It’s what I used on my sideboard in the living room.

 

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As I talked about in the videos, this piece had a leather-like texture to some of the doors, and it distressed in a really interesting way.

 

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I really do love it.  More than one person has asked me why I’m crazy enough to let it go, and I know I am.  Honestly, though, I always thought I wanted a piece just like this…but now I’m looking for something a bit more rustic and relevant to the new dining room.

I have found the piece, too, and I hope to be bringing it home today!!  I found it at the shop, and all but drooled over it for 6 weeks before I committed to buy it.

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I’m continuing to repurpose and play with paint, filling the space with smaller items.  I love this frame I painted with Annie Sloan’s provence and old white…such a beautiful color combo.

Speaking of smaller items, I made a run out of town to look at some craigslist chairs (which I loved and bought), and swung by TJ Maxx.  Well, it was a good stop.

I walked out with 2 grain sack inspired (down) pillows, 2 rattan lamps w/ linen shades, a vintage inspired bottle caddy–with all the bottles!-, a little vintage inspired rice-filled sack, and I’m sure that’s not all.

I felt like the chick from Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Because right after that, I went to the flea market and scored a vintage oar, an old wooden level-which I think will make fitting wall art, a round basket thingy, and an old wooden bowl.

There’s a reason I’m not allowed out of the house that often.

🙂

 

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